San Antonio officer accused of rape in police car

A veteran police officer has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman inside his marked patrol car.

A San Antonio police officer is accused of handcuffing and raping a 19-year-old woman in a case decried by the police chief, who calls it “unthinkable.”

Officer Jackie Len Neal, an 11-year member of the department, was placed on paid administrative leave as a sexual assault case against him is pending.

“I can’t express in words how disappointed and angry I am about this. I am at a loss for words,” Chief William McManus told reporters over the weekend, according to the San Antonio Express-News. “I am outraged. This is a punch in the eye to the Police Department.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Neal asked the woman to step out of her vehicle about 2 a.m. Friday after tailing her for several blocks.

The affidavit said Neal told the woman her vehicle had been reported stolen. The woman produced a sales slip, but Neal patted her down, ignoring a request for a woman to do that, according to the affidavit.

Neal then allegedly placed the woman in handcuffs and raped her in the back of his car. Police say a GPS device in Neal’s patrol car confirms he was parked on the street in question for about 18 minutes on Friday, according to the Express-News.

The woman contacted police, who opened a case against Neal. He was arrested at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

“We won’t tolerate it for a second,” McManus said, according to San Antonio TV station KENS. “And I think the swiftness of the investigation and the arrest is indicative of that.”

Neal was released from jail later Saturday morning. A listed phone number for Neal was disconnected, and court records listing an attorney were not immediately available.